Light International School celebrates Cultural Festival

The Light International School System in Sinkor has celebrated its Annual Cultural Festival, bringing together children of different nationals who displayed their cultures on Tuesday, 12 June at the Paynesville Town Hall.

The Vice Principal of the Primary Division Mr. Togba G. Ngangana says it is the school’ eighth Annual Cultural Festival and it is intended to showcase the beauty and unique nature of the cultures around the world.

According to him, it is to promote the interaction of students from various tribes and different cultural backgrounds, adding that it is a testament to Liberia and how the kids display their various cultures.

He narrates that the purpose of the Cultural Festival is to teach the kids their various cultures, to make them accept people for who they are, no matter their different tribal backgrounds and cultures.

Serving as the guest speaker, Deputy Information Minister for Cultural Affairs Mr. Lance K. Gba-Gonyon says the school attaches value to culture. According to him, other schools celebrate career day but not a cultural festival, noting that investing in culture will help the children and the youth to know their roots and culture.

“We need event of this kind to be carried out by many schools in Liberia so that the children can have a full knowledge of their culture,” he says. He says Liberia is believed to be one of the cornerstones of African Cultural Heritage, noting that people travel to Liberia to witness their beauty, culture and have the taste of the Liberian dishes.

But he urges that the negative part of the Liberian culture be eradicated and people should adopt the positive cultural values. He also urges Liberians to respect the cultural values of other countries so that they can co-exist with people from other countries.

“Culture can be used to promote education, it can be used to promote peace and reconciliation, it can be used to promote unity, and social cohesion. Culture has formed part of every part of our society,” Mr. Gba-Gonyon notes.

He concludes that the Ministry of Information encourages the School to conduct a session for their students at a minimum or no fees at almost all of Liberia’s historical sites.

By Ethel A. Tweh–Edited by Winston W. Parley